Terms and Conditions

If money is taken in advance for any driving lessons, the instructor should keep a proper customer account and the pupil should be kept advised of the state of their account.
Money for a driving test application should normally be taken at the time or immediately prior to the instructor making the test booking.

The driving instructor must check a pupil’s entitlement to drive and their ability to read a number plate at the statutory distance. (Failure to do so could leave an instructor open to criminal charges of “aiding and abetting” under the Road Traffic Act.)
It is unprofessional for an instructor to allow a pupil to arrive at a test centre without the correct documentation or, in the case of a practical driving test, in an unroadworthy vehicle.

The pupil’s readiness for the driving test should be openly discussed and honest advice be given. Should a pupil insist on taking the test against the instructor’s advice the instructor may withhold the use of the tuition vehicle.
In these circumstances, sufficient notice should be given so that the pupil will not forfeit the test fee.
In the case of a pupil undertaking an intensive course, they should be notified of the potential loss of fee, if judged not ready by the instructor, and the fact recorded.

The instructor should try to teach the pupil to drive safely as a life skill (not just to pass the driving test), adapting the instruction to the needs of the pupil.
The instructor should endeavour to give driving tuition on a wide variety of roads and in varying traffic conditions. Teaching pupils only on test routes should be avoided, as should the practice of the same manoeuvres in the same place.
Care should be taken to avoid nuisance to local residents.

The whole of a paid lesson should be for the pupil’s instruction; no time is to be wasted for the instructor’s personal business.

Conciliation

The instructor should have a procedure for dealing with any complaints which is open, honest and fair.

The Registrar of Approved Driving Instructors will be prepared to offer advice in an attempt to resolve a dispute.

Appointment Card

The appointment card will be given to a pupil either before, or at the first lesson. Clients are advised to bring their appointment card with them to every session so that the next lesson can be booked.

Driving Licence

Clients must personally ensure that they are the holders of a valid driving licence, which must be produced at the first lesson and may be regularly checked by the instructor.
Clients must inform their driving instructor if they receive any endorsements on their licence during the time that they are receiving tuition.
Clients must inform their driving instructor of any disabilities they have which may affect their ability to drive.

Client Wellbeing

In the interests of comfort and safety, clients are advised to wear suitable footwear and comfortable clothing that does not restrict movement. Please ask your instructor if you require any further advice.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are as stated in the driving school’s price list and are payable in advance. All accounts must be cleared in cash before proceeding with an official driving test.

School/Instructor Guarantee

The school/instructor guarantees that only legally authorised instructors will give instruction.
Instructors’ official authorising documents will be displayed on the windscreen of the car and may be inspected freely at any time. Clients may be accompanied on their lesson by a supervising examiner whose job it is to ensure that the tuition given meets the required standard. This is a legal requirement and is in the public interest.
If an authorised trainee instructor is used, the pupil must be informed that the instructor is a trainee and can expect a senior supervising instructor present during some of the lessons.
The pupil has the right to decline training by a trainee instructor.

Postponement or Cancelation of Lesson by Clients

At least two working days’ notice of postponement or cancellation of lesson is required. Please note that Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays are not counted as working days.
Late cancellations or postponements will be charged for as specified in the Price List. There may be an administration charge if it is required to invoice the pupil for late cancellation or postponement fees.
Such notice to the school/instructor (in writing, by telephone or by text) shall be deemed to have been served on the day that the communication is received at the school/instructor’s premises where it will be timed and recorded.

Postponement of a Lesson by the Driving School

If by reason of a vehicle failure or other emergency a lesson has been postponed at short notice, an alternative appointment shall be made with mutual consent. Should such a postponement be a driving test, the school shall be responsible to the client for the fee of the next test if it cannot be cancelled within the required time (see below about test cancellations).
Driving tests take priority over lessons; therefore, a lesson already booked may sometimes have to be cancelled or postponed if the driving school receives short notice of a driving test.
Except as provided for in the first sub-paragraph of this section, the school will where possible give notice of rearrangement or postponement of a lesson within the same limit as the school imposes on a client postponing or cancelling a lesson.
If circumstances arise that a change of instructor becomes necessary, the client shall have the right to decline and also the right to discontinue lessons with the school.

Postponement or Cancellation of a Test

The DSA require at least 5 clear working days’ notice (not counting the day the DSA receive your request and the day of test) for the

cancellation or postponement of a test.

If you do not give enough notice, you will lose your fee.
If possible, the client will be advised in good time of the advisability of cancelling their test.

The school/Instructor cannot be responsible for the loss of the test fee if the client fails to immediately notify the test booking office. The address and telephone number for cancellations/postponements is given on the test appointment card.

The school/instructor cannot be held responsible for any postponement or cancellation of a test by the DSA – at whatever notice.
Clients should note that where lessons or tuition vehicle hire need to be cancelled at short notice because of a cancellation by the DSA, fees are still payable. It may be possible for clients to claim lost fees from the DSA.

The Driving Test

Your instructor will advise the appropriate time to make an application for a driving test. The advice will be based on the client’s progress to date. It does NOT imply that the necessary standard has been reached or that it will for certain be reached by the appointed test date.
The school/instructor will not hesitate to advise where necessary if the test should be postponed. This condition is intended to save the client expense, unnecessary failure and the consequent delay in waiting for another test.
The school/instructor reserves the right to withhold the use of the school car for the test or a lesson if in the opinion of the instructor the client is:

Not at driving test standard

Medically unfit (including eyesight)

Under the influence of drugs or alcohol

Is not properly licenced to drive

Consistently late or fails to keep appointments.

Falls into arrears over payment

If for any other reason the instructor considers the client will be unsafe to handle a motor vehicle.

Clients may be accompanied on their test by a supervising examiner whose job is to ensure that official standards of testing art observed by examiners. This is a legal requirement and is in the public interest.
You are reminded that when you go to take your driving test you must take the required documents. Failure to comply with this regulation will mean the examiner will have to cancel your test. You will forfeit your test fee and have to apply for a new test date.
In the event of the test appointment being sent to the client they are required to notify the school/instructor as soon as possible of the date and time of the test and show the document to their instructor at the next lesson. The school/instructor cannot accept any responsibility for booking an incorrect time or date of a test unless the appointment document is produced.

Lessons in Own Car

Driving tuition may be given in a client’s own car if the instructor is willing to do so, on the condition that it is dearly understood;

The car is fully insured for teaching for reward and this must be confirmed in writing by the vehicle underwriters.

The instructor is covered by such insurance to drive the car – to be confirmed as above.

The instructor can in no way be held liable for any damage or accident.

Whilst the instructor will make every effort to prevent the client having an accident, or damaging the car, it will be realised that their control is very limited (No extra pedals).

If clients wish to have lessons in their own car. Then a second rear view mirror and an approved seat belt and approved head restraint must be provided for the instructor. In view of the extra responsibility entailed, there will normally be no reduction in lesson charges.

Insurance

School cars are fully insured for tuition and driving tests. The certificate of insurance is available for inspection.
No liability of any kind can be accepted by the school/instructor for the loss of, or damage to, any property belonging to or in the possession of the client.

Legal Liability

Clients should be aware that their instructor’s primary objective is to promote road safety and in doing so, he/she will have to issue instructions which clients must be prepared to carry out without undue argument.
The instructor will make every effort to train the client to the highest standard but in no way can be held liable for any errors the client may commit whilst driving and unaccompanied by the instructor either before or after a test pass.

Complaints

If the client is unhappy with any aspect of his/her tuition, he/she should notify the school/instructor without delay and not later than seven days from the date on which the cause for complaint arose. Every effort will be made by the school/instructor to satisfactorily deal with the complaint in accordance with the Code of Practice issued by the school/instructor.

PAYMENT DETAILS

The duration of each lesson is based on the one-hour unit.
Lessons normally start at the client’s home or a place agreed by mutual consent.
All fees are subject to adjustment from time to time at two weeks’ notice.

Cheques

Cheques should be made payable as detailed by your instructor and supported by a valid cheque guarantee card.

Credit Cards

Please ask your instructor about this facility.

Cancellations

Your Instructor reserves the right to charge for lessons cancelled with less than two working days’ notice.
Please phone cancellations directly to your instructor on the number given on your appointment card.
In their own interest clients are advised to be punctual for their appointments. The instructor will wait for a maximum of 10 minutes. A reciprocal waiting time may become necessary for the arrival of the instructor due to some unforeseen circumstance. The lesson will commence from the declared start time or the time of the instructor’s arrival if that should be later.